General Instructions for Debates
Note that there is no term-paper for this class. The debate is an opportunity for you to examine one issue in more depth than simply reading a book and reacting to it. I expect that for your debate you will be well-prepared, knowledgable about the historical background and the issue itself, and able to argue a case. You are not required to do huge amounts of research, but you should at a minimum be very familiar with everything provided on the debate webpage, including the primary and secondary sources.
Since this is a group activity, you are required
to meet
with members of your debate team at least one time prior to the class
meeting
in which the debate will take place. The instructor will help to
facilitate this meeting.
The debate will take the place of lecture on a given topic for that
day; thus,
debaters will be responsible for providing background material on their
subjects (from the textbook, for example) as well as arguing their
side.
Background material assignments are made on the debate webpage.
At a
minimum you should present the relevant material from the textbook, in
such a
way that it forms a useful introduction to the debate. You may
certainly use
additional materials, such as powerpoints or other grapical aids, if
you like.
The background material is intended to give everyone in the class the necessary background to understand what the debate is about. It covers what the primary sources are that you are using, what the background to the issues is, and what the main outline of the issue was. As such, you should be prepared to speak for about 2-3 minutes for EACH item of background. You should certainly include names and dates. If you are in doubt as to whether you are clear enough, practice on a roommate and ask if he/she understands! You might find it helpful to have this material written out and just read it (that is perfectly fine), if you are nervous speaking from notes, or if you think you might forget some of it. Or you can speak from notes if you feel more comfortable doing so.
EVERYONE IN THE CLASS SHOULD LOOK AT THE DEBATE MATERIALS AND READ THE ASSIGNMENT IN THE TEXTBOOK for that day; this material will not otherwise be covered in lecture, but you will be expected to know it for the tests.
Each debate assignment will consist of seven or eight parts. You must prepare all the parts, as you do not know which part(s) you will be called upon to present. In addition to the presentation and argumentation stages of the debate, there will also be counter-argument for which you should be prepared to speak on the spot. You will be graded INDIVIDUALLY on how well you do on the part that you were called on to present, AND how you do in counter-arguments and conclusions. I will NOT be grading you on your debating skills, so if you have never debated before, that is not a problem.
Note that in order to create a solid argument for your side, you will have to figure out what the opposing side's arguments might be so that you can plan what your counter-argument will be. You will be expected to present a solid and detailed argument for your side, using background and other information.
People often ask what the difference between the
presentation of the proposition and the arguments is. The
presentation of
the proposition should include a statement of what the proposition is,
an
explanation of what is involved, and a brief summary of the
overall
theme of how it is going to be argued. Do not go into detail
about the
individual arguments at this time; that will be done when the
arguments are
presented.
The structure of each debate will be the following:
I. Presentation of the background material
A. Team 1
B. Team 2
II. Presentation of the proposition
A. Team 1
B. Team 2
III. Main arguments: three for each side, in detail, including quotes from primary sources
A. Team 1
B. Team 2
IV. Counter-arguments
A. Team 1
B. Team 2
V. Summaries: summarize your arguments, rebut the arguments of the main team, state why your argument is preferable
VI. Vote by the class